Campgrounds

Campgrounds in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area are clustered around large lakes and scattered through the mountains.
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The Sawtooth National Recreation Area has over 30 developed campgrounds.

Minimal camping is allowed outside of developed areas with restrictions.

There is no such camping allowed in or around the Alturas or Redfish Lake areas.

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area has over 30 developed campgrounds with a total of 700 individual sites, which lie along the Salmon River, in the Stanley, Redfish, and Alturas Lake areas and in the Wood River Valley.

Minimal camping is allowed outside of developed areas with restrictions. There is no such camping allowed in or around the Alturas or Redfish Lake areas. The restrictions include that the campers should stay on existing roads, pack out trash and pay particular attention to sanitation. Campfires should only be built in an existing fire ring and in the event of high fire danger; undeveloped camping areas will be closed to any type of campfire.

General Rules and Regulations

Fees: Nightly rates $10 - $25. Backcountry permits required.

Reservations: Most operate on 1st come/1st serve basis. Those taking reservations are noted.

Fires: Some campgrounds do not allow fires. Check regulations.

Sites: Stay within designated areas. 7 consecutive day limits. 8 people (2 vehicles) per site, unless in designated group sites.

Keep a clean camp!

Pets are allowed in camp and on trails – on lead or under voice command control.

Season: Generally from Early May - Mid September

Checkout: Noon

Amenities: Most campgrounds have potable water and pit toilets.

Alturas Inlet Campground (Southwest of Stanley, ID) A large sandy beach on the north shore features a picnic area. Canoeing and fishing on nearby Perkins Lake. Trails at the end of Forest Road 205 lead into the Sawtooth Wilderness. An ATV trailhead is within 0.25, but there is no ATV use in the campground.

28 campsites, including 5 double sites, on beautiful Alturas Lake

Group campground, handicap accessible toilets, and RV sites

No reservations

Baumgartner Campground (Northwest of Fairfield, ID) Wade in the river and fish from the fishing dock provided. 111-degree Fahrenheit hot springs next to the campground is open daily, but is drained and cleaned at night. Swimsuits are required.

39 campsites on the South Fork of the Boise River

Group campground, handicap accessible toilets, and RV sites

Reservations - 1-877-444-6777

Boundary Campground (Northeast of Ketchum, ID) To the northeast of this campground, on Forest Road 137, is the trailhead for the Pioneer Cabin Trail. Two corrals are on the way to the trailhead. The trail, a 7.6 mile round trip, leads to a rustic cabin built in 1937 by Union Pacific Railroad as a shelter for skiers. Today, the cabin is used by hikers and backpackers, and is a popular destination for day hikers who love to picnic on the front steps. No motorized use in the winter in the area around Trail Creek or in the adjacent North Fork Big Wood River drainage .

6 campsites on Trail Creek

Toilets, RV sites

No reservations

Bounds Campground (Northwest of Fairfield, ID) Two trails branch out to the south from the campground, connecting around Soldier Creek. Sanitary waste station and corrals at Big Smoky Guard Station.

12 campsites on the South Fork of the Boise River

Toilets, RV sites

No reservations

Canyon Campground (Northeast of Fairfield, ID) This is a lovely open area framed by the canyon and cut by the river. A multitude of trails head north from here and from the guard station. Trail 072 leads to Skillern Hot Springs, along Smoky Creek. Sanitary waste station (dump station), mangers, and corrals at Big Smoky Guard Station. Stock loading ramp at the campground.

6 campsites on the South Fork of the Boise River

Handicap accessible toilets, RV sites, dump station

No Reservations

Caribou Campground (Northeast of Ketchum, ID) Campground is located in thick pine trees.

20 campsites include 16 single campsites, 2 double sites, and two large groups.

Toilets, RV Sites

Reservations: 1-877-444-6777

Elk Creek Campground (Northwest of Stanley, ID) Elk Meadows is a fantastic place for bird watching, and for catching moose & elk at their breakfasts. Campground has a general parking area- from there you must walk to your site.

3 campsites which can be reserved as a single group area for up to 40 people

Potable water, toilets, RV sites

Reservations: 1-877-444-6777

Glacier View Campground (South of Stanley, ID) Campground is in a lodge pole pine forest. Waterskiing, sailing, swimming, wading, canoeing, motor boating and of course, fishing are all great ways to enjoy the waters.

65 campsites on the north shore of Redfish Lake. At least 8 sites can accommodate up to 16 campers each.

Grandjean Campground (Northwest of Stanley, ID) The Idaho Centennial Trail (hiking/horse riding) heads south along the Payette River, ultimately reaching a lush alpine paradise filled with lakes. Once in the lake area, you can complete the loop back to Grandjean. Fishing in the South Fork of the Payette.

34 campsites near the border of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Ten sites for horse campers.

Iron Creek Campground (Southwest of Stanley, ID) Trailhead for access trail into the Sawtooth Wilderness. Located in a lodge pole pine forest.

9 campsites on Iron Creek.

Handicap accessible toilets, RV sites

No reservations

Lakeview Campground (Northwest of Stanley, ID) Trailhead at Stanley Lake Inlet Campground for trail leading into a lake-filled region of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Campground is in a lodge pole pine forest.

6 campsites on Stanley Lake

Handicap accessible toilets, RV sites

No reservations

Lower O’Brien Campground (Northeast of Stanley, ID). An interesting trip from here is to explore the mining history of the area by touring the Land of the Yankee Fork. Nearby Indian Riffles overlook has a fantastic view of the river. The Warm Springs Creek Trail is nearby and leads to Garland Lakes. Campground is closed on August 15 to allow for stream bank revegetation to occur. Located in a lodge pole pine forest.

10 campsites on the Salmon River

Cultural, historic sites, potable water, toilets

No reservations

Mormon Bend Campground (Northeast of Stanley, ID) Located in a lodge pole pine environment, with sagebrush and meadows. A designated put-in for the Salmon River is here.

15 campsites on the Salmon River

Potable water, toilets, RV sites

No reservations.

Mount Heyburn Campground (South of Stanley, ID) A section of the Idaho Centennial Trail passes near here. Equestrian stables, boat rentals, and a dump station can be found at Redfish Lake Lodge. Located in a lodge pole pine forest.

Murdock Campground (North of Ketchum, ID) Located in a pine forest 2 miles north of the recreation area headquarters in North Fork Canyon. Hiking, bicycling, and fishing opportunities abound in the area. Moose can be found feeding in the marshy areas of the canyon.

North Shore Campground (Southwest of Stanley, ID) Campground is in a mixed conifer setting, and a quiet seating area overlooks the lake.

15 campsites on beautiful Alturas Lake

Potable water, toilets, RV sites

No reservations

Point Campground (Southwest of Stanley, ID) Located in a lodge pole pine understory. Sites 1-8 are for walk in tent camping only. Carts are available for gear transportation. Campground features a sandy beach and a day use area for picnicking and fishing.

Riverside Campground - Sawtooth (Northeast of Stanley, ID)
A trailhead is south of the campground, on the other side of the river. The trail heads to the isolated and pristine Casino Lakes and then on into the jagged White Cloud Peaks. Located in a lodge pole pine forest.

18 campsites on the roaring Salmon River.

Group camp site, potable water, toilets, and RV sites

No reservations.

Salmon River Campground (Northeast of Stanley, ID) Convenient to the town of Stanley. Located in a mixed lodge pole pine and meadow/sagebrush environment. To maintain stream bank integrity, sites 13 - 30 are closed from August 15 through May of the following year.

Stanley Lake Campground (Northwest of Stanley, ID)
Trailhead at Stanley Lake Campground for Idaho Centennial Trail which goes through a lake-filled region of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Boat ramp at Stanley Lake Inlet Campground. Located in a lodge pole pine forests.

19 campsites on Stanley Lake.

Handicap accessible toilets, RV sites, boat ramp.

Reservations: 1-877-444-6777

Stanley Lake Inlet Campground (Northwest of Stanley, ID) Trailhead just outside the campground for the Idaho Centennial Trail which goes through a lake-filled region of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Located in a lodge pole pine forest.

14 campsites on Stanley Lake.

Handicap accessible toilets, RV sites, boat ramp.

No Reservations.

Sunny Gulch Campground (South of Stanley, ID) Located in a lodge pole pine forest. Excellent fishing in the river. A day use area for picnicking and fishing is located near the campground entrance. Campground is a mere 3 miles from Redfish Lake, but is quieter and less crowded.

Trap Creek Campground (Northwest of Stanley, ID) The Idaho Centennial Trail passes through, paralleling the byway. You must walk to your campsite from a general parking lot.

3 campsites can be reserved as a single group area for up to 40 people

Group camp site, toilets, potable water, RV sites.

Reservations: 1-877-444-6777

Upper O`Brien Campground (Northeast of Stanley, ID) Soak in the fabulous Sunbeam Hot Springs. Hot spring is 169 degrees F, but you can adjust the temperature by moving rocks to let the river water in. Boat ramp at Yankee Fork for floating the river. 14 miles of Class III & IV rapids.

9 campsites under lodge pole pines on the Salmon River

Exhibits, cultural-historic sites, potable water, toilets, boat ramp

No reservations.

Wood River Campground (North of Ketchum, ID) Trails in Northfork Canyon lead to the Amber Lakes and over the Boulder Mountains. Campground setting is heavily forested and divided by the Big Wood River.

30 campsites and a group picnic area which can accommodate up to 150 people